For those unaware, disc golf is a sport that involves throwing a disc or frisbee into a designated “hole” down a fairway, similar to how you might play golf…hence the name! The sport has been around in one form or another since the 1900s but has taken off significantly over the past few decades, helping it to fall in line with some more well-established sports. However, don’t be fooled into believing the sport is straightforward.
Quite to the contrary, it involves a high level of skill, as you might imagine from an activity that requires finesse and accuracy, and just like all other sporting activities, there is plenty to learn in order to improve your game. One aspect you should become au fait with is how you grip the disc before letting her rip. This post will take a look at what this sport entails, then examine some of the ways in which you can create the correct grip that will speed your disc toward its target.
What Is Disc Golf?
As mentioned briefly earlier, disc golf has been around for the better part of a century and was first played competitively in Saskatchewan, Canada, of all places, in 1927. In essence, it combines the strategy and precision of traditional golf with the throwing mechanics of Ultimate Frisbee. The goal is to throw your discs into the “holes” as you might hit a golf ball into the hole, and it uses a relatively similar scoring structure to regular golf.
The similarities continue when you look at the items you throw and how you use them. For example, each disc comes in various shapes and sizes for different purposes – drivers for long-distance flights, mid-ranges for accurate midrange shots, and putters when you’re close to the target.
They are thrown from designated “tees” toward metal buckets called “baskets” at the end of each fairway. That’s why proper grip techniques are essential because they determine accuracy and power when throwing a disc. So with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how grip might affect your performance.
Knowing How To Grip A Disc Properly Can Make All The Difference
Having the correct grip on your disc is arguably one of the most critical aspects of your game. You can have the best gear and the strongest throw, but your performance will suffer if you’re lacking in your grip game. So, how do you achieve a proper grip? There are a few different techniques to try, but the most important thing is to find a grip that feels comfortable and natural.
One popular grip is the fan grip, which consists in holding the disc with your fingers spread out on the flight plate and your thumb on top. In reality, you will need to observe other players and, as with any sport, practice, practice, practice until you become so fed up with the game you want to throw in the towel. Then you practice some more. Only then will you discover which grip is most conducive to how you play, which will help you create a win ratio that is the envy of all who go against you.
The Grip Should Be Comfortable And Secure
Gripping the disc too tightly is one of the most common mistakes made by novice players because they erroneously believe that sheer power is the game’s most crucial component. However, almost all pros players will tell you that technique always trumps power, and if you are to focus on anything, it’s getting the fundamentals right before you try to develop your throwing strength.
You can think of it like boxing. Those who swing wildly are the first to hit the floor, while those who take time to refine their skills will land more punches on target and ultimately win every round. This is the same with disc golf since you need to develop a comfortable grip on your disc in order to be at ease.
Identify Your Dominant Hand
This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many green players will rock to the fairway without an accurate understanding of which hand will yield the best throw. Although most people will use their dominant hand (i.e., right-handed players will use their right hand), some people discover that their non-dominant hand is better suited to the game. This is really an exception to the rule, but if you don’t ever consider it, you will never know, and thus, your game will suffer.
Make Sure Your Wrist Is In A Neutral Position
Those who have been playing the game for a while can usually experiment with all kinds of grips and potions, but when you are staring, it’s wise to maintain a wrist position that is as neutral as possible. Poor throwing comes from incorrectly angling the disc, which is a direct result of gripping too hard or letting your hand loll around like a limp noodle. In other words, your grip will influence your wrist postin and vice versa.
Moreover, a neutral wrist position allows for a smoother disc release. When your wrist is in a neutral position, it allows for a more fluid motion when releasing the disc, resulting in a cleaner and more accurate throw.
It’s All In The Flick, Baby!
When discussing throwing the disc, the conversion usually revolves around, well, just that, throwing. Nonetheless, in most cases, it will be how you flick your wrist that will get you the lift you need to float your disc on target. To get a good flick, you need to focus on your follow-through.
Your wrist should snap at the point of release, giving the disc a smooth and controlled flight path. This takes practice and patience, but once you get the hang of it, your shots will become more accurate and consistent. A correct grip will enable you to position the disc just so, ready for your wrist to do the rest of the work. Once you master the grip, everything else will fall into place, and you will thrive at the sport.
After reading this post, you should have a pretty good idea regarding what you should practice before hitting the course. Fundamentally, your grip will determine the rest of your game, and by taking time to truly get to grips with it (pardon the pun), you will find your skills improving exponentially.
